How much horsepower does a 2.8 L GM have?
Power output for a 2.8-liter GM engine varies by variant and year. The most common 2.8-liter engine in today’s GM lineup in the United States is the Duramax turbo-diesel inline-4, rated at 181 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. Other 2.8-liter GM engines exist in global markets and older generations, and their output can differ significantly.
Understanding the 2.8 L label
GM's 2.8-liter designation spans more than one powertrain family—most notably the Duramax diesel used in mid-size pickups, and other regional gasoline/diesel variants. The exact horsepower depends on whether the engine is turbocharged, the tuning for a specific model year, and emissions rules in a given market. If you’re looking at a particular vehicle, the official spec sheet is the best source for the precise figure.
Current popular figure in the US
The 2.8L Duramax turbo-diesel in the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon is rated at 181 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, according to GM's official specifications and window stickers for recent model years. This makes it a logical reference point for "2.8 L GM horsepower" inquiries today.
Notes on global and historical variants
Beyond the U.S. market, GM’s 2.8-liter engines have included other configurations, especially in Europe and Asia, and in older or different model lines. Those variants have produced outputs that range from the high 100s to the low 300s horsepower, depending on whether they are gasoline or diesel, turbocharged or naturally aspirated, and on the tune for a given market. For accuracy, always check the specific engine code and the model year.
Summary
In modern GM lineups, a 2.8 L engine most often refers to the Duramax 2.8L turbo-diesel, which delivers about 181 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. Other 2.8 L GM engines exist in different countries and historical periods, with a variety of outputs. The surest way to know the exact horsepower is to check the vehicle’s official spec sheet or window sticker for that engine code and year.
How much horsepower does a 1987 Chevy S10 2.8 have?
The 1987 Chevy S-10 with the optional 2.8L V6 engine produces 125 horsepower (hp) at 4,800 RPM and 150 ft-lb of torque. This engine was equipped with Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI).
You can watch this video to learn more about the engine options available for the Chevy S-10: 1mTFLclassicsYouTube · May 1, 2023
- Horsepower: 125 hp
- Torque: 150 ft-lb
- RPM: 4,800 RPM
- Engine type: 2.8L V6 with Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI)
How much horsepower does a 2.8 L V6 have?
Horsepower for a 2.8L V6 varies significantly depending on the specific engine and vehicle, ranging from around 115 hp in older Ford models to 210 hp for the GM 2.8 LP1 engine and even higher for turbocharged versions, such as the Saab 2.8L which has 258 lb-ft of torque and a specific output of 89 hp/L. Other examples include the VW 2.8L with 190 hp and the older GM 2.8L with 140 hp.
- GM 2.8 LP1: 210 hp at 6500 rpm
- Volkswagen Passat: 190 hp
- Saab 2.8L Turbocharged: 258 lb-ft of torque (specific horsepower isn't stated, but it has a high specific output of 89 hp/L)
- GM High Output 2.8L: 140 hp
- Ford Cologne V6: 115 hp (in 1985 Ranger, though output varies by model and market)
- 1987 Chevrolet S-10 Pickup: 125 hp
Is a 2.8 liter engine good?
It's not a very powerful engine. That much is very true. But it's insanely simple, and becauseof that, it's nothing if it's not durable. The engine itself follows the GM V6 rule. As long as you keep it full of fluids the 2.8 will run poorly longer than most engines run period.
How much HP does a 2.8 L Duramax have?
2.8L I-4 LWN Features & Specifications
Latest Refinements vs. 2024 and Earlier Models: Horsepower increase from 181 hp to 204 hp.
